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Brexit: Theresa May urged to guarantee rights of EU nationals to break deadlocked talks Brexit: Theresa May urged to guarantee rights of EU nationals to break deadlocked talks
(about 1 hour later)
Campaigners have urged Theresa May to enshrine the rights of millions of EU nationals in a new treaty amid growing concern over the Government's plans for Europeans residing in the UK after Brexit. Campaigners have urged Theresa May to enshrine the rights of millions of EU nationals in a new treaty amid growing concern over the Government's plans for Europeans residing in the UK after Brexit.
The issue of citizens rights - both in the UK and Europe - has proved to be a major stumbling block in the Brexit talks as both sides have demanded assurances that their own citizens will have their rights protected once Britain leaves the bloc.The issue of citizens rights - both in the UK and Europe - has proved to be a major stumbling block in the Brexit talks as both sides have demanded assurances that their own citizens will have their rights protected once Britain leaves the bloc.
The 3million group, which campaigns to preserve the rights of British citizens in Europe and Europeans in the UK after Brexit, has published a raft of alternative proposals to solve deadlocked talks after saying the proposals to give EU nationals 'settled status' in the UK were "not fit for purpose".The 3million group, which campaigns to preserve the rights of British citizens in Europe and Europeans in the UK after Brexit, has published a raft of alternative proposals to solve deadlocked talks after saying the proposals to give EU nationals 'settled status' in the UK were "not fit for purpose".
Theresa May wrote directly to 100,000 EU nationals living in the UK to promise they would not be used as "bargaining chips" in the negotiations but her comments have done little to reassure Europeans who are "worried sick", said Nicolas Hatton, co-chair of the pressure group.Theresa May wrote directly to 100,000 EU nationals living in the UK to promise they would not be used as "bargaining chips" in the negotiations but her comments have done little to reassure Europeans who are "worried sick", said Nicolas Hatton, co-chair of the pressure group.
It comes as a group of MEPs wrote to Home Secretary Amber Rudd saying plans to force EU citizens to register as part of a transition deal would be illegal.It comes as a group of MEPs wrote to Home Secretary Amber Rudd saying plans to force EU citizens to register as part of a transition deal would be illegal.
Outlining the plans, Mr Hatton said: "EU citizens in the UK have been worried sick about their future and the strained negotiations on citizens rights.Outlining the plans, Mr Hatton said: "EU citizens in the UK have been worried sick about their future and the strained negotiations on citizens rights.
“This is why we are proposing a solution to the UK and EU negotiators in order to move negotiations in a positive direction.“This is why we are proposing a solution to the UK and EU negotiators in order to move negotiations in a positive direction.
“What we are putting on the table is a viable alternative in keeping with the spirit of EU law that will protect EU citizens’ rights and is workable in the UK. This will genuinely enable us to continue living our lives in the UK as we always have.”“What we are putting on the table is a viable alternative in keeping with the spirit of EU law that will protect EU citizens’ rights and is workable in the UK. This will genuinely enable us to continue living our lives in the UK as we always have.”
The group said ministers should abandon attempts to fit EU citizens under existing immigration rules and protect their rights under a UK-EU treaty, which would assure the status of people who were already living in the UK before Brexit.The group said ministers should abandon attempts to fit EU citizens under existing immigration rules and protect their rights under a UK-EU treaty, which would assure the status of people who were already living in the UK before Brexit.
If EU citizens are required to register after Brexit then there must also be a 'grace period' where people are able to continue working and studying, it said.If EU citizens are required to register after Brexit then there must also be a 'grace period' where people are able to continue working and studying, it said.
Under the proposed scheme, registration would be streamlined to allow whole families to register together and would be be free or inexpensive for EU nationals to prove their long-term residency. Under the proposed scheme, registration would be streamlined to allow whole families to register together and would be be free or inexpensive for EU nationals to prove their long-term residency.
The Department for Exiting the European Union has been contacted for comment on the proposals. A Government spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has made clear that safeguarding the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU is a priority and we are within touching distance of agreement.
“In June we outlined our intention to introduce a settled status scheme, through which EU citizens in the UK could maintain their access to healthcare, education, benefits and pensions.
“The UK government has already been clear that anything agreed will be enshrined in a Withdrawal Agreement, which will incorporated fully into UK law.”